The Week: January 23-26, 2012

A new touring arts and music season gets underway in Madison this week. The calendar includes: performances by Blue Man Group; a benefit for Feeding America with Avicii; and, live music from Small Houses, Communist Daugher, Eric Church, Paul Collins' Beat with Jaill and Sugar Stems, XV, and Paper Diamond.

Who knew slipping on blue latex head-mask thingies, making funny faces and pounding around on every available surface would lead to world domination? Frankly, these blue guys are probably not the exact same ones you saw in, say, Vegas, but they'll be just as entertaining.

Fueled by excitement about a Grammy nomination for "Sunshine," the dance track he co-produced with David Guetta, Swedish DJ Avicii will perform 26 shows in 27 days, including one here in Madison. Proceeds help Feeding America, which fills the bellies of hungry families across the country.

Named after a Neutral Milk Hotel song, this Twin Cities band weaves melancholy folk-rock from gossamer harmonies and heartrending lyrics, winning praise from Rolling Stone and The Fader. With Crane Your Swan Neck and Julia Klee.

In addition to being a power-pop idol, Collins heads an innovative project called the Beat Army, which uses his band's fame to boost that of talented underground artists such as Milwaukee's Jaill and the Sugar Stems. Learn more in this week's Tour Stop.

Amid the crisp mountain air of his Colorado home, Paper Diamond melds fresh beats with rumbling bass and the ethereal sparkle of synthesizers. Watch him make musical magic at this show. With M Machine and Gnarlzard.